Bee and Wasp Stings Glossary of Terms

1. Bad Bugs and Their Bites Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Quiz on Allergies
3. 10 Common Allergy Triggers Slideshow Pictures

Acetaminophen: A nonaspirin pain reliever or analgesic. Acetaminophen may be given alone t...

Adrenaline: A stress hormone produced within the adrenal gland that quickens the heart bea...

Airway: The path that air follows to get into and out of the lungs. The mouth and nose are...

Allergic reaction: The hypersensitive response of the immune system of an allergic indiv...

Allergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system, the body system ...

Anaphylaxis: Allergic reaction. In severe cases, this can include potentially deadly anap...

Antibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. ...

Antihistamines: Drugs that combat the histamine released during an allergic reaction by bl...

Anxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa...

Asthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narro...

Bacterial: Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection.

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is...

Board certified: In medicine, a description for a physician who has taken and passed a med...

Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ...

Bumps: The raised area of a bump or bruise results from blood leaking from these injured b...

CDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US agency charged with tracking a...

Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t...

Chest pain: Pain in the chest that can be a result of many things, including angina, heart...

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica...

Epinephrine: A substance produced by the medulla (inside) of the adrenal gland. The name e...

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

Hives: A raised, itchy area of skin that may be a sign of an allergic reaction. It can be ...

Ibuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa...

Immune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.

Immunization: Vaccination. Immunizations work by stimulating the immune system, the natur...

Immunology: The study of all aspects of the immune system, including its structure and fun...

Immunotherapy: Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune (defense) syst...

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

Injury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot...

Insect sting: A sting from a stinging insect, such as a bee, hornet, yellow jacket, or was...

Intensive care: See critical care.

Itching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on ...

Kidney: One of a pair of organs located in the right and left side of the abdomen. The kid...

Low blood pressure: Any blood pressure that is below the normal expected for an individua...

Lungs: The lungs are a pair of breathing organs located with the chest which remove carbon...

Medic Alert: Originally,a bracelet that a person could wear to warn medical professionals ...

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in...

Obstruction: Blockage of a passageway. See, for example: Airway obstruction; Intestinal o...

Ointment: An oil-based preparation that is applied to the skin. Whereas an ointment has an...

Ophthalmologist: A physician who practices ophthalmology.

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Pediatrics: The field of medicine that is concerned with the health of infants, children, ...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Poison: Any substance that can cause severe organ damage or death if ingested, breathed in...

Prognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan...

Pulse: The rhythmic dilation of an artery that results from beating of the heart. Pulse is...

Pus: A thick, whitish-yellow fluid that results from the accumulation of white blood cells...

Rash: Breaking out (eruption) of the skin. A rash can be caused by an underlying medical c...

Referral: The recommendation of a medical or paramedical professional. If you get a refer...

Sensitivity: 1. In psychology, the quality of being sensitive. As, for example, sen...

Shock: In medicine, a critical condition that is brought on by a sudden drop in blood flow...

Shortness of breath: Difficulty in breathing. Medically referred to as dyspnea. Shortness ...

Steroid: One of a large group of chemical substances classified by a specific carbon struc...

Systemic: Affecting the entire body. A systemic disease such as diabetes can affect the wh...

Tetanus: An often fatal infectious disease that is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tet...

Throat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th...

Trachea: A tube-like portion of the respiratory tract that connects the larynx with the br...

Tylenol: See: Acetaminophen.

Urine: Liquid waste produced by the kidneys. Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that norm...

Venom: A poison, particularly one secreted by an animal. Examples are bee venom, snake ven...

Venomous: 1. Full of venom. 2. Having venom, like some snakes and insects. ...

Vital: Necessary to maintain life. For example, breathing is a vital function.

Wheezing: A whistling noise in the chest during breathing. Wheezing occurs when the airway...

Yellow jacket sting: A sting from a yellow jacket (or other large stinging insects such as...